Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost |
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Scripture |
Luke 12:49-5649“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? |
Devotional |
This is a different and unexpected Jesus we meet in today’s Gospel reading. John the Baptist promised us one who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? Today’s text does not focus on the teaching of Jesus but the effects. Some accept the teaching and follow Jesus. Others reject the teaching and walk away. Fire is a frequently used biblical image but it may have various interpretations. The interpretations may mean the presence of God, judgment, and purification. The divine plan does include aspects of God’s presence, judgment, as well as purification. I believe Jesus was using the image of purification. Peace will be costly and filled with conflict. Jesus’ offer of peace and reconciliation leads to division. This is a fire of purification and it destroys. The fire that separates the dross from the gold is not always welcomed. Walter Wink says, “Jerusalem could no more face what Jesus brought than we. It is far easier to destroy the messenger of our darkness than to face it in ourselves and our social system.” Because we have become so exposed to the sweet Jesus, this picture of Jesus is disturbing to many of us. We can identify with John Shea. “I had also read many devotional books on Christ with such elevated sugar content that one reading could induce diabetes.” 1 What type of fire are we looking for? A fire that is raging out of control destroying everything in its path or a fire that eliminates all the dross within. Are we seeking the fire Jesus was demonstrating, or do we seek the sugar coated Jesus? It is interesting that the division Jesus is describing is one generation with another generation. Mother and father against son and daughter and daughter-in-law would not present a difficult situation. Small issues often become large ones between parents and children. Morton Kelsey says that the reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy. When change is demanded, the revolutionary character of the Gospel cause conflict and division. Peace will be costly and filled with conflict. This is especially true for our inner work and conflicts. Prayer: Lord, we see you baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Help us to accept both of these in our lives. 1 John Shea, The Relentless Widow. Collegeville: Liturgical Press. 2006. p. 230 |